Automatic control device for irons



Nov. 23 1926.

Filed June 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 23 ,-]926. 1,607,757

G. D. JORDAN ET AL AUTOMATIC CONTROL DEVICE FOR IRONS Filed June 25, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Eli. 4

Suva-"tow Patented Nov. 23, 1926. i

UNITED STATES Y'PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE D. JORDAN, OF CLEVELAND, AND CLYDE A. BRADEN, OF LAKEWO OD, OI H IO.

AUTOMATIC CONTROL DEVICE FOR IRONS.

Application fl1ed June 25, 1923. Serial No. 647,446.

Thisinvention relates to electric heating devices and more particularly to electric irons.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide means for automatically shutting off the current to prevent overheating of the iron.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means for automatically turning on the current after the iron has cooled down sufliciently, after the automatic cut-ofit' has operated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a comparatively simple and inexpensive device, for the purposes specified, that will be adapted to be applied to existing irons and will not interfere in any way with theinsertion or removal of the ordinary detachable plug for connecting the supplyline to the iron.

Other objects of the invention and the features of novelty will be apparent from-- the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: I

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of an iron having our invention applied thereto, certain parts being shownin section;

Fig. 2 is anend elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a section of a structure embodying our invention, detached from the iron,- certain parts being shown in section;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but show-' ing a modification of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing still another modification; and

Fig. 6 is a transverse section of a modification of one ofthe details ofthe invention.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, 10 indicates an ordinary heating iron having the usual brackets and grip constituting a handle 11. At the rear of the iron are the usual contacts 12 with which a removable attachment plug 13 cooperates for the purpose of supplying the heating current to the iron. The plug 13 is of the type embodying a so-called push switch actuated by the usual push buttons downwardly and is attached to the rear of the iron by meansof the lugs 17 and the screws 18 which are best shown in Fig. .2. The bracket 16 may be formed of sheet metal or may be a casting and, when formed of sheet metal, may be stamped from a sheet of flat stock folded up into the form shown, the edges meeting at the back, as indicated at the point 20. Adjacent to the lugs 17, the bracket 16 is provided with a boss 21 into which a plug 22 is threaded (see Fig.

3). The plug 22 has secured thereon a small disc-like container 23 having a flexible diaphragm 24 closing its outer end. This container 23 is partially filled with a volatile liquid such as alcohol and sealed up tight.

The bracket 16 has two rearwardly projecting lugs v25 onwhich the lever 26 is pivoted, as'indicated at 27. The lower end of the lever 27 carries an adjustable screw 28 which cooperates with the diaphragm 24, as best shown in Fig. 1.

The bracket 16 is formed with a collar or other means to surround and support the plug 13 and'the upper end of the lever 26 is so arranged as to engage the button 14 of the switch for the purpose of actuating the latter. I

. A spring 29 is secured on the bracket 16 by 'rivets 30 or in any other suitable man-- ner, and when the plug 13 is inserted the buttons 14 and 15 enter between the upper end of the lever 26 and the spring 29, pref erably putting the latter under tension.

In the operation of the device just described the parts will be arranged, substantially as shown in Fig. 1, when the. iron is being heated. The heat absorbed by the lower end of the bracket 16 will be .con-

ducted through the'plug 22 to the container 23 and cause the alcohol in the container to be evaporated, thus generating pressure within the container which will force out the diaphragm 24 and this, in turn, will move the lever 26 andpush in the button 1 1 and thus cut off the current in case the heat in the iron becomes too high. When the button 14 is pushed in, the button 15 will be pushed out against the tension of the spring 29 and when the iron cools sufiiciently the vapor in the container will condense and thus reduce the pressure sufiiciently to permit the spring 29 to push in the button 15 and thereby turn on the current.

Instead of using a container having a flexible end wall we may use a container of the type illustrated in Fig. 6, .which\consists of the corrugated side walls 31, formed of relatively thin metal and the end plates 32 and 33, the plate 32 hearing the plug 22. With a container of this type the pressure on the interior would tend to separate the end walls and thus produce the same effect as the outward bulging of the diaphragm 24. It will, therefore, be understood that where, in the claims, we mention the container, either of the forms illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6 may be employed.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 the container 23 is ositioned vertically, or substantially so, an for some reasons this arrangement is preferable because it permits the container to be brought fairly close to the iron. In theform illustrated in Fig. 4 the container 34 is arranged horizontally, with the plug 22 in a vertical position. The lever35- is in the form of a bell crank pivoted at the point 27, as in the other form. In this construction one arm of the lever 35 is much .shorter than the other and the short arm carries an adjusting screw 36 for cooperation with the diaphragm 37. The' long arm of the lever 35 cooperates with the button 14 of the switch and the arrangement provides for a multiplication of the movement of the short arm so that relatively small movements of the diaphragm 37 will actuate the switch button 14. In this form of the invention, we have omitted the spring 29 but it will be understood that the use of this spring is optional in either form. 4

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5 we provide, on the rear of the iron, a container 38having a hollow extension 39 to the upper end of which the expansmie member 40 is attached. We have'shown this expansible member as being provided with flexible diaphragms at its ends but it will be understood that the form used in Fig. 6 may be employed. In this case, the button 14 of the switch may contact with the outer diaphragm 41.

In the operation of this form of the invention, the volatile liquid in the container 38 is vaporized by the heat from the iron,

which results in an'accumulation of pressure in the container and this pressure, being transmitted through the passage 39' of the extension '39, and the passage 22 in the plug to the interior of the member 40, forces out the diaphragm 41 which causes the button 14 to be actuated to shut off the current.

The form illustrated in Fi B' s advan tages in that it is Very simple to construct and is so closely arranged with reference to the rear of the iron and the attachment plug 13 that it is not liable to injury through striking objects when the iron ismoved backward. This form of the invention 125 also simpler than the other forms in that the levers 26 and 35 are eliminated. The

spring 29 for turning on the current may be used with this form of the invention as well as with the other forms, as will be perfe ctly obvious from Fig. 1. The bracket 16' which supports the attachment plug 13 may be of the form ordinarily employed on commercial types of irons.

While we have intended our invention to Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. The combination of an electrically heated device, thermostatic means attached to said device and adapted to be heated thereby, switch actuating means associated with said thermostatic means and actuated thereby. a readily removable and replaceable attachment plug for connecting a source of electric current to said device, and a switch in said plug, for controlling the current, arranged in position to be actuated by said actuating means when said plug is in its attachedposition on said device.

2. The combination of an electrically heated device, thermostatic means attached to said device and having associated therewith means actuated by the thermal element thereof, a lever mounted on said device and hav-' ing one end in cooperation with the last mentioned means so as to be actuated thereby, a readily removable and replaceable attachment plug, for connecting a source of electric current to said device, having a switch mounted thereon, and actuating means for said'switch arranged to cooperate with said lever and be'actuated thereby when said plug is in position on said device;

3. The combination of an electrically heated device, thermostatic means attached to said device and having associated therewith means actuated by the thermal element thereof, a lever mounted on said device and having one end in cooperation with the lastmentioned means so as to be actuated there by, a readily removable and replaceable attachment vplug, for connecting a source of electric current to said device, having a switch mounted thereon, actuating means for said switch arranged to cooperate with said lever and be actuated thereby, to shut off the current, when said plug is in position on said device, and means for automatically actuating said switch to turn on the current.

4. The combination with an electric iron,

of a handle thereon a bracket attached to said handle and to said iron, an expansible container mounted on said bracket, a lever ivotally mounted on said bracket and havmg one end eratively connected with said container, sai

i bracket having means to receive and support an attachment plug, and

' an attachment plug, for-connectin a source of electric current to said. iron, aving a switch thereon adapted to be actuated by said lever when said plug is positioned in said means.

5. As an article of manufacture for the I purpose described, adevice for attachment to an electrically heated device to automatically controlthe supply of current thereto and comprising means for receiving and holding an attachment plug that is providedv with a switch, a container forga volatile liquid having. associated therewith means ac- Y tuated by the pressure in the container, and

a lever actuated by the last-mentioned means and arranged to actuate said switch when said plug is in position in said receiving and holding means.

6. As an article of manufacture for the purpose described, a devicefor attachment to an electrically heated device 'to automatically control the'suppl of current thereto and comprising, in com ination, means for receiving and holding an attachment plug that is provided with a switch,.a container for a volatile liquid havin phragm at one end adapte to be expanded by the pressure in the container, and a pivoted lever having one end operatively cona flexible dianected with said diaphragm and arranged to actuate said switch when said plug-is in position in sa1d receiv1ng and holding means. 7. The combmation with an electric iron of a bracket secured to the rear thereof and moved from said opening. I

In testimony whereof we aflix our signa tures.

GEORGE D. JORD 'N. CLYDE A. BRADE x 

